Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that he was completely unaware about the intentions of former Chief Minister of state and President of Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal) Surjit Singh Barnala to rejoin the SAD. Interacting with the media persons after inaugurating the maiden Rural Science Congress of the country organized by Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) at Dashmesh Girls College of Education here today, the Chief Minister said that he had no inkling about the plans of Mr. Barnala to rejoin the Akali Dal adding that he had learnt about the same from the media reports. Replying to another query, the Chief Minister rebutted the malicious propaganda of state Congress leadership regarding the politics of vendetta being pursued by SAD-BJP alliance government against the President of Punjab Congress Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa. Mr. Badal said that ever since the inception of his political career he had always remained a votary of ‘morality in politics’ and had never believed in the politics of vendetta and confrontation. He said that it was on record that the previous Congress government led by Captain Amarinder Singh had unleashed a reign of terror against the SAD leaders by registering false cases against them under the policy of political vendetta whereas the alliance government was working on the constructive agenda to ensure overall development and progress of the state.
Earlier addressing the mammoth gathering during the inauguration function, the Chief Minister exhorted the eminent scientists and delegates of the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) converged on the occasion to adopt ‘Result Oriented Approach’ for ensuring the development of the nation and its people. He said that the deliberations of such conferences should not merely confine up to the records but something concrete must come out from them in the larger public interest. Mr. Badal said that apart from paying attention to big issues the scientists must give due care towards the important issues like ensuring the disposal of contaminated water from the village ponds and cleaning of the rivers, which were concerned with every common man. Lauding the ICSA for choosing the state for organizing the first ever Rural Science Congress in the country, the Chief Minister expressed hope that it would inspire the students of Punjab to scale new heights in the field of science and technology besides inculcating scientific temper amongst them. He said that this unique initiative would also offer a healthy platform to the rural innovators to interact with the nationally and internationally renowned scientists which would be a great incentive and encouragement to the people especially the youngsters involved in such scientific pursuits even from rural sector. Mr. Badal further said that on its part the state government has taken path breaking initiatives for development of Science and Technology in Punjab.
The Chief Minister said that due to the concerted efforts of the state government Pushpa Gujral Science City has been set up in Kapurthala with an investment of Rs. 100 crores and around 4 lakh visitors visit it every year. Likewise he said that to strengthen Science and Technology infrastructure in Punjab, a state-of-the-art Agri-Food Biotechnology Cluster was being developed in Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali over more than 125 acres of land at a cost of nearly Rs 400 crore.
Badal said that India’s first Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) was being developed at Knowledge City, Mohali at a cost of Rs 142 crore over an area of 35 acre land.Laying thrust on bridging the education gap between the students of rural and urban areas, the Chief Minister said that the students of the rural areas were having a huge potential which could be aptly utilized for the development of the country by providing the required infra structure to them. He said that keeping in view this thing the state government has already started Dr. Hargobind Khurana Scholarship scheme for the poor and bright students of the state who secure more than 80% marks in the government schools. Mr. Badal said that under this scheme a scholarship of Rs 30000 per annum would be given to the beneficiary students for pursuing education. Likewise the Chief Minister said that six ‘Special schools’ were being opened across the state to impart quality education to the meritorious students. He said that the bright students would be provided free boarding and lodging facilities in these schools so that they could excel in their life. Mr. Badal said that these schemes would play a vanguard role in enabling the poor students to compete with their convent educated peers. Later on the Chief Minister also visited the Rural Science Exhibition and had detailed interactions with the school students regarding their projects. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema, Central President ISCA and Vice Chancellor BBA Central University, Lucknow Prof. RC Sobti, Deputy Commissioner Sri Muktsar Sahib Mr. Paramjit Singh, Convener Chandigarh Chapter of ISCA Dr. Vijay Laxmi Sharma, Convener Patiala Chapter of ISCA Dr. Tarlok Singh, Convener Delhi Chapter of ISCA Mr. VM Trehan and Principal, Dasmesh Girls' College of Education Dr. SS Sangha.